For the fifth year running, the award-winning independent publisher Orenda Books takes its authors on the road
The hugely popular Orenda Roadshow kicks off this month, from 24th-28th February, with internationally bestselling authors participating in events around the country. For the fifth year running, following incredible success, bookshops in Glasgow, Stockton, the Wirral, Nottingham and Penarth will welcome a global gathering of authors published by the award-winning independent publisher Orenda Books.
Writing in all genres, from contemporary literary novels and thrillers, to horror and historical, and hailing from as far as Finland, Norway, and Germany, the international line-up includes one of the godfathers of Nordic Noir Kjell Ola Dahl; Australian writer Helen FitzGerald, whose bestseller The Cry was adapted for the BBC last year, German bestseller Simone Buchholz and ‘Norway’s Anne Tyler’, Helga Flatland. Also joining them are Orenda’s exciting stable of home grown talent, including West Camel, whose debut Attend was published in 2018; Louise Beech, the author of the prize-winning Call Me Star Girl; bestselling novelist Will Carver; psychological thriller writer Michael J. Malone, plus Johana Gustawsson, author of Keeper and Blood Song, and Six Stories author Matt Wesolowski.
Karen Sullivan, founder and publisher of Orenda Books, says:
“This the fifth year that we’ve taken a team of authors on the road – up to 16 of them on some dates – and it’s proved to be one of our most successful marketing strategies. Putting authors in front of readers in an informal setting, to talk about and read from their books, answer audience questions from the audience, and often visit the pub together afterwards, has built an incredibly strong and engaged readership around the country. It’s a fun and lively event, and particularly effective in introducing international authors to a UK audience. Perhaps most importantly, however, it is an incredible team-building exercise, and everyone on that team benefits hugely.”
Michael J Malone, author of After He Died, says:
“Life as a writer can be a lonely one so to get out on the road, to interact with readers and other authors is an important reminder of why I lock myself away in front of a computer for hours and hours on end – the love of books! And I use that energy to fire me up when I’m at a difficult stage in the next novel – if I don’t get cracking I’ll miss out on all that fun.”
Antti Tuomainen, author of Palm Beach Finland and The Man Who Died, says:
“As this will be my fourth Roadshow, I almost know what to expect. Wonderful readers, fantastic bookstores, charming booksellers and a fabulous bunch of colleagues who are always so happy to see me go home. Also, the early spring and the trains. I love both.”
The Orenda Roadshow came in for particular praise from Creative Europe, who last year awarded Orenda Books a prestigious grant to continue its work in producing, promoting and translating authors from Europe. It noted “the main innovative element in the applicant’s strategy is that of giving increased highlighting to foreign authors in the British book market, first of all by bringing the authors to the UK, and actively engaging them in a series of events, a process that would aim at “demystifying” foreign authors to British audiences and bringing them closer to their potential readers. These events and activities, among others, would include a London book launch, various attendances at specialised book fairs and festivals in the country and a participation in a week-long road show, together with British authors.”
The full programme is:
Monday, 24 February 2020, Waterstone’s Sauchiehall, Glasgow: David F. Ross, Doug Johnstone, Helen FitzGerald, Louise Beech, Thomas Enger, Johana Gustawsson, Simone Buchholz, Antti Tuomainen, Michael J. Malone, Matt Wesolowski, Vanda Symon
Tuesday, 25 February 2020, Stockton Central Library: Helen FitzGerald, Louise Beech, Thomas Enger, Johana Gustawsson, Simone Buchholz, Antti Tuomainen, Michael J. Malone, Matt Wesolowski, Vanda Symon, Will Carver, Kjell Ola Dahl, Helga Flatland
Wednesday, 26 February 2020, Neston Cricket Club, Wirral: Helen FitzGerald, Louise Beech, Thomas Enger, Johana Gustawsson, Simone Buchholz, Antti Tuomainen, Michael J. Malone, Matt Wesolowski, Vanda Symon, Will Carver, Kjell Ola Dahl, Helga Flatland
Thursday, 27 February 2020, Southwell Library, Nottingham: Helen FitzGerald, Louise Beech, Thomas Enger, Johana Gustawsson, Simone Buchholz, Antti Tuomainen, Michael J. Malone, Matt Wesolowski, Vanda Symon, Will Carver, Kjell Ola Dahl, West Camel
Friday, 28 February 2020, The Glamorganshire Golf Club, Penarth: Helen FitzGerald, Louise Beech, Thomas Enger, Johana Gustawsson, Simone Buchholz, Antti Tuomainen, Michael J. Malone, Matt Wesolowski, Vanda Symon, Will Carver, Kjell Ola Dahl, West Camel, Matt Johnson